Fire Investigation

With over 30,000 vehicle fires in the UK per year the distress and financial costs to vehicle owners, repairers and insurers is huge.

In many cases the point of origin and cause of the fire can be determined and the possibility of financial recovery / remuneration fully evaluated.

Our role as forensic fire investigators is to examine the damaged vehicle, and independently establish the origin and cause of the fire. The process of forensically examining a vehicle fire is a detailed and highly structured process that requires the attention of not just a fire investigator, but one with specialist automotive / machinery engineering knowledge.

In summary, we typically follow the following steps:

Interview the vehicle owner/driver (where appropriate).

Conduct a detailed examination of the vehicle at the scene or at a secure location (e.g. a salvage agent).

Document and photograph all relevant aspects of the investigation.

Cross-check the nature of the damage in relation to known manufacturer or component faults.

Check with VOSA for any outstanding vehicle recalls in respect of a risk of fire.

Submit a detailed report as an Expert which is suitable for Court Proceedings (if required).

We have vast experience of dealing with fires in valuable classic vehicles – and alternative vehicles that have high agreed values.

We are also experienced with expensive restoration work that is, on occasion, poorly carried out, and also use of inappropriate materials and methods. With high insured values, often based only upon presentation of photographs, we are the ones to assist you not only in establishing the cause of the fire, but also pre-fire condition and values.

We have vast experience of dealing with fires in modified vehicles, motorhomes, converted vehicle’s and agricultural machinery.

Elite Inpsections is a UK based car inspections company with nationwide operations in England (London, Birmingham, Newcastle, Leeds & Manchester), Wales (Cardiff & Swansea), Scotland (Dunfermline, Fife, Aberdeen, Edinburgh & Glasgow), and Northern Ireand (Belfast). We also operate in international locations such as Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and across Europe.